FNB UKZN 24 FNB MADIBAZ 29
The action came hot and fast as FNB Madibaz beat FNB UKZN 29-24 in sunny conditions in KZN.
The home team began the match with confidence as Trent Coetzee scored the first try. It didn’t take long however for the visitors to respond through a strong push towards the line that was finished by hooker Kyle Erasmus.
Madibaz continued to use their maul to inflict damage on UKZN, with Erasmus as the main man. He eventually scored three tries as the visitors went to the break with a comfortable 29-14 lead.
UKZN came back strong with a successful penalty and a try by their captain, Tino Mazindhu. Jarred Nicholls had a perfect kicking record, converting all the tries.
Madibaz tried to extend their lead, but it looked like they left their scoring boots in the changing room and didn’t add a single point in the second half.
FNB UKZN: 24 (14) – Tries: Trent Coetzee, Nhlakanipho Mathonsi, Tino Mazhindhu. Conversions: Jarred Nicholls (3) Penalties: Jarred Nicholls (1).
FNB Madibaz: 29 (29) – Tries: Kyle Erasmus (3), Liyema Bophela, Alivadon Bophi.
Conversion: Ronaldo November (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Mpumelelo Mavuso (FNB Madibaz)
FNB TUT 28 FNB RHODES 16
FNB TUT came out on top in a gruelling physical contest with FNB Rhodes, scoring a 28-16 victory in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Pretoria.
It was the visitors who first got points on the board from fullback Callum Momberg’s boot. Kennedy Tsimba’s troops won the physical contest however as they were awarded their first try in the 30th minute when Joseph Kwinda off-loaded the ball from a driving maul for Malcolm Langa to cross over.
TUT ended the first half on a high, again from a lineout and subsequent maul, with Kwinda dotting down for the first of his two tries.
Rhodes had an opportunity to reduce the deficit after the break, but Momberg missed two penalties. Tsimba’s charges remained the bullies in the scrums as they managed to get their bonus point try through number 8 Rowane Skosana, securing a vital victory.
FNB TUT: 28 (14) - Tries: Malcolm Langa, Joseph Kwinda (2), Rowane Skosana. Conversions: Dieter Groenewald (4).
FNB Rhodes: 16 (10) - Tries: Simelela Mbanzi. Conversions: Callum Momberg (1) Penalties: Callum Momberg (3).
Player That Rocks: OlwethuPrence (FNB TUT)
FNB WSU 13 FNB CPUT 28
FNB CPUT managed to make it two from two in their 2023 campaign with a 28-13 away win over FNB WSU in Mdantsane.
The team from Cape Town wasted no time as they found the try line in the first minute through Hugan Engelbrecht.
WSU then edged their noses in front through a converted try by skipper Awonke Sondishe and a penalty by Maxwell Klaasen. The joy of leading the game was however short-lived as Keaston Hartogh dotted down and Shaun Maritz was successful with the conversion. Another penalty by Hartogh saw the visitors go into the halftime break 18-13in the lead.
Despite a promising start to the second half by WSU, CPUT continued where they left off with their attacking play. Keenan Williams was rewarded with a try after the visitors managed to dominate play in their opponent’s half. Maritz added a conversion and a penalty to his tally of points on the night.
FNB WSU: 13 (13) – Tries: AwonkeSondile. Conversion: Maxwell Klaasen. Penalties: Maxwell Klaasen (3).
FNB CPUT: 28 (18) – Tries: Hugan Engelbrecht, Keaston Hartogh, Keenan Williams.
Conversions: Shaun Maritz (2). Penalties: Maritz (1), Kartogh (1)
Player That Rocks: Roland van der Heever (FNB CPUT)
FNB UFH 13 UWC 33
After a massive drubbing of FNB Rhodes last week, FNB UWC continued their winning streak with a convincing 33-13 victory over defending champions FNB UFH in the Davidson Stadium in Alice.
It is clear being on the road suits UWC well. They crossed the try line 13 times against Rhodes and added another seven against UFH, pushing them to a comfortable position at the top of the log.
UWC number 8 Romauld Nsombamanya was in stellar form in the lineout and at the back of the scrum. His high work rate was rewarded with two tries and the award as the FNB Player That Rocks.
There is not a lot of time for UFH coach Lumumba Currie to work on a turnaround plan as the defending champions hit the road for their fixture next week against FNB CPUT in Cape Town.
FNB UFH 13 (6) - Tries: Ayabulela Xhosana. Conversions: Merlin du Plessis (1). Penalties: Merlin du Plessis (2)
FNB UWC 33 (12) - Tries: Romauld Nsombamanya (2), Will Vraagom, Mauritz Swart, Bevan Simons. Conversions: Conwill Conradie (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Romauld Nsombamanya (FNB UWC)
